All-Access: RE-Defined!

WE ALL WANT to go "behind the scenes," especially when it comes to celebrity ... anything! Famous people strike a nerve in us, and we can't seem to satisfy our hunger for learning enough about them. These people are at the summit of their art, and since they days of Gene Harlow and Cary Grant, we've been completely and utterly enraptured by those who rise to celebrity status.

How do famous people really live? How do they maintain such an awe-inspiring level of performance? What are they like in their quietest, most intimate moments? The answers might surprise you.

Now, you'll get an inside glimpse into their world to find out. In this blog, All-Access, I'll bring you beneath the barricades, around security ... and into the inner sanctum of the world of celebrity. "ALL ACCESS" means you'll get to see what I see ... well, most of it anyway! I am granted unprecedented access to places very, very few people get to go. It's my job to capture the images -- the authentic, soulful shots -- of famous people in their full glory and oftentimes in their most intimate and grounded moments.

Before I go any further, I'd like to comment on privacy and respect: two words not often associated with the treatment of celebrities. I've been a photographer for 20 years. It is my craft, my passion, my life. I shoot with every fiber in my being. I've spent years building trust with my clients -- and I will never, ever betray that. Not for financial gain, not for publicity, not for anything. I value that trust with my life. That said, everything you in this blog will have been granted permission by the celebrity themselves -- and by their management. That's how I do things: rock-solid relationships and superlative work.

And, I think my approach is a welcome change. The treatment of celebrities has come off the rails; just visit any newsstand for proof of that. We've entered an era of overly-aggressive paparazzi who taunt celebrities, steal their privacy and sometimes endanger their lives. All of that demeans the industry. Tabloid publications have gone way, way too far and so have the photographers who shoot for them. I'm here to set a new standard.

And, this is not some idealistic, quixotic rant. It's achievable. Think about it: There was a time when celebrities, and their privacy, were respected. There was a time when photographers took beautiful, timeless shots of celebrities, and they did it in a dignified way, with decency and class. Bottom line: You can do great work, and capture breathtaking images of famous people, without invading their privacy or exploiting their personal lives. This is a return to taste and high art.

The upshot for you is this: you can sit back and "enjoy the show" on this blog knowing that everything was done with integrity and class. And, my celebrity clients can feel comfortable about it, too. It will connect you in ways you've never experienced.

Welcome to my blog: All-Access with Ross Pelton!

OH MY!

Jamie Foxx and New Year's Eve!

I'm about to head out tonight to shoot Jamie Foxx on his Unpredictable Tour -- his New Year's Eve show at the Oakland Coliseum. Jamie is at the top of his game. He's an Oscar-winning actor and a multiple Grammy-nominated musician. The man is on fire, and I can't wait to work with him.

People often ask me how I deal with these situations. I mean, I'm thrust into a pretty high-pressure environment, with some exceptionally strong personalities and a lightning-fast pace. If I blow one shoot, I'll never be asked back -- and the word will get out. There really is zero margin for error in this business.

Here's how I do it: I respect the artist, first, second and third. I find out exactly what they want, and I deliver on that ... 110%. I stay focused on the work.

I also have fun with it. Celebrities are people, and they like to have fun just like the rest of us. I think a lot of people get nervous around celebrities and it paralyzes them. I don't. I treat all people the same way. If I'm having lunch at Ivy in Beverly Hills, I'm just as happy shooting the shit with the waiter as I am with my celebrity clients. People are people. This is life. Celebrities are remarkable individuals who have worked like hell to potentialize their talent, but so has a single mom working her ass off to support her kids and give them the best life she can. I love my clients, but I'd venture to say that we hold celebrities in disproportionally high esteem. In the final analysis: I think it's imperative that we all treat one another with the genuine respect and kindness, regardless of status, race, gender or religion. If we stuck to this one simple rule, can you imagine how much better off this world would be?

I know, I digress. But, it is a central part of my philosophy.

And so, I'm off to Unpredictable...and I imagine it will be just that. Stay tuned for the post-event blog.

Meantime, Happy New Year! Give it all you've got.

OH MY!

The Tools of a Master

PEOPLE OFTEN ASK ME what kind of equipment I use to photograph celebrities. After all, these people -- and their management -- are uncompromising when it comes to what they want. And rightly so. Famous people's livelihoods depend, to a large extent, on their public personas. That means there is no room for error in what I do.

I've always been brand loyal to Nikon. They simply make the best photographic equipment -- and my job requires that I use the best.

The best camera out there now -- according to me, of course -- is the Nikon D2Xs. 12.4 megapixels. CMOS image sensor. Speeds up to 5 fps. LCD display with 170 degree wideangle viewing. OH MY!

If you're just getting into photography, a great camera is the Coolpix P4. It's 8 million megapixels, which is pa-lenty! for 99% of the population. Plus, it's compact and easy to use. It's got a 2.5 inch LCD and a vibration reduction feature that minimizes the effects of camera shake.

If you just want to capture the family vacation on digital, then go with something like the Coolpix L2.

For the full range of Nikon cameras and other goodies, log on to: www.nikonusa.com.

The bottom line with shooting is to get the right lighting, really dial into the essence of what you want in the picture, take a lot of shots and shoot from the heart.

Sounds like a recipe for success.

OH MY!